In a concerted effort to reduce poverty and foster sustainable livelihoods, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Pili, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP), awarded livelihood starter kits to selected beneficiaries across various barangays on May 15, 2024, at the Pili Sports and Cultural Complex. This initiative directly provides financial assistance and start-up support to local community members, enabling them to establish financially and socially sustainable businesses.
The ceremony was attended by key officials, including Mrs. Caterina S. Munez, Acting PESO Manager of LGU-Pili; Hon. Francis B. Belen, Municipal Vice Mayor; Mrs. Vanessa Antonette Q. Miguel-Maturan, DOLE Camarines Sur Provincial Field Office livelihood focal person; and Hon. Tomas P. Bongalonta, Jr., Municipal Mayor of Pili. Their messages emphasized the vision of empowering communities through livelihood opportunities and entrepreneurship.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude, highlighting how the starter kitsโcovering trades such as food and fish vending, auto/motor repair, electrical repair, masonry, carpentry, welding, and tailoringโprovide them with the means to generate income and uplift their families. By equipping households with tools and resources for small-scale enterprises, the program strengthens their capacity to achieve financial independence and contribute to community development.
To ensure sustainability, a business management and financial literacy seminar was conducted by Prof. Mae S.A. Lustre from the Department of Agricultural Economics at CBSUA. The seminar provided practical strategies on financial management, entrepreneurship, and overcoming market challenges, ensuring that beneficiaries can maximize the assistance received and sustain their businesses long-term.
The DOLE representative further emphasized that beneficiaries will be assessed after a year to monitor the effective use of the starter kits and measure improvements in their living conditions.
This initiative exemplifies local start-up financial assistance under SDG 1: No Poverty, as it empowers vulnerable households to establish viable businesses, improve their income, and secure access to basic needs and services. It also contributes to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by promoting entrepreneurship and inclusive economic participation.| ๐๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ต ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฐ๐ด ๐ง๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฎ ๐๐ด. ๐๐ท๐บ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ข๐จ๐ข๐ฏ, ๐๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ข๐ง๐ง
